My first step down on my gabapentin has been successful; no increased pain as a result :)
I've actually been finding myself feeling a bit out of it during the recent days, almost like I'm feeling slightly drugged/high, which is quite triggering due to events in my abusive relationship.
I'm sure my increased insomnia of late, and my nightmares, aren't helping with that. But I can't help but wonder if there's another contributing factor.
Although I've been off heavy pain meds for almost three weeks now, I am still on some large dosages of less-intense ones.
Given how smooth my step down on gabapentin was, I've been wondering if the pain meds I am on could still be too much for what pain my body is feeling.
I'm on the daily max dosage of paracetamol.
My NSAID (celecoxib) dose is also high, from what I can find online.
And, ok it looks like my gabapentin dosage isn't considered high, but it could still be for the pain I'm having.
Of course, I'm aware that it is so important to not rush the tapering of pain meds because you risk setting yourself waaaaaay back, and I have been through so much already that I will not put myself through that.
But, I think this is definitely something I should talk to my GP about, and I have a phone consult with her tomorrow afternoon which is perfect timing.
I had this crazy realisation on Sunday: where I am right now, I'm actually in less pain than I was pre-op. Which completely blows my mind. I know that the two time points aren't directly comparable, as I am on pain meds now and wasn't back then, and I'm also a whole lot more stiff now than I was back then, due to my restricted range of motion.
But still, wow. I cried when I realised. And then I cried later that night when I remembered what I'd realised. And then I teared up again just now writing about it.
I do get a sore lower back when I have been up for several hours in a row, but I also can completely understand that because a) I'm still building my endurance and strength in my new back, and b) I'm desperately clinging onto what abdominal strength I had over one month ago, to support my back, since I haven't been able to strengthen that area since my operation.
But, I used to get sore in that same area pre-op, and after being up for less time too I would say.
In addition to that, because my severe lumbar curve was straightened in surgery and my less-severe thoracic curve is in the process of straightening itself out, my back is so much more even.
The tense, knotted, compressed muscle that used to lie along the left side of my spine in my back, has now relaxed thanks to my more-neutral spine.
I can't even begin to put into words what a difference the absence of that source of discomfort has made. In the lead up to my surgery, I was hoping that that would happen. I am hopeful, that with continued care of my back and leading a healthy lifestyle, that it will continue to feel better.
My follow-up letter should arrive in the couple of day, but from speaking with surgeon and cute registrar while I was in the hospital, it will most likely be on Friday the 12th of April. ie. in 10 days! And would you look at that: we're back to another countdown :D
Ok seriously though, what if this is a countdown to seeing CR. Ahhhhhhhh.
Zero chill bellbird has returned.
Wow.
Countdowns and zero chill bellbird: what a trip down memory lane this post has been :laugh:
Other cool things that will possibly happen at that appointment:
-getting to see my before and after xrays
-having some restrictions eased
-feeling ready to return to university
In other words: a lot to look forward to!
Until then, let's keep pushing on, to give those possibilities the best chances of becoming reality.
